Toronto/Vancouver – The best university women's rugby teams are coming to Vancouver as the University of British Columbia (UBC) hosts the 2025 U SPORTS women's rugby championship.
This will be the second time UBC will be the site of a U SPORTS national university women's rugby tournament, having previously hosted in 2009. The 11-game tournament will be contested October 29 – November 2, 2025, at Thunderbird Stadium.
"U SPORTS is excited to bring our national women's rugby championship back to Vancouver, said U SPORTS Chief Executive Officer Pierre Arsenault. "Vancouver is a hub for major rugby events, and with UBC's track record of hosting outstanding U SPORTS championships, we know that teams and fans will have an outstanding time in the Lower Mainland come 2025."
The 27th edition of the U SPORTS championship features eight teams, including the host Thunderbirds, battling out over five days to hoist the Monilex Trophy, first awarded in 1998, named in honour of Monty Heald and Lexie Tynan, the founding distributors of Gilbert products in Canada. Gilbert is the official ball of the U SPORTS rugby championship.
QUOTES
Kavie Toor, Managing Director - Athletics and Recreation – UBC:
We are thrilled to be awarded the 2025 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship. We're very proud of our decorated women's rugby program which has built such a strong foundation over the years due to dedicated student-athletes, including national team players and most recently, Olympic medalists in Paris. There is such a robust rugby culture throughout the Lower Mainland which has positively impacted our Thunderbirds women's rugby program. We look forward to welcoming the best rugby teams from across the country and showcasing this premier event to our tremendously supportive alumni and greater community.
Dean Murten, Head Coach – University of British Columbia Thunderbirds:
We're excited to host the 2025 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championships. There has been tremendous growth in our sport since we last hosted in 2009. Our program has been built on hard work and support from alumni, donors, sponsors and the rugby community around the Lower Mainland, so this is a great way to show our appreciation to all who have embraced our program by bringing them the best women's university rugby teams in Canada to their backyard.
The 2024 Cavendish Farms U SPORTS women's rugby championship begins October 30 in Charlottetown, PEI. All games will be broadcast on CBC/Radio-Canada Sports digital platforms. Tickets for this year's championship are available for purchase at USPORTSTickets.ca.
Stay tuned for the unveiling of the championship logos and ticket information in January 2025. For more exciting updates as UBC prepares to welcome the best in Canadian university women's rugby, visit USPORTS.ca.
Facility photos and UBC action photos are available for download at USPORTSMedia.ca.
